Common teaching methods

COMMON TEACHING METHODS

From “Getting the Most out of Your AIDS/HIV Trainings”
East Bay AIDS Education Training Center
Revised from 1989 addition by Pat McCarthy, RN, MSN, 1992

Lecture

STRENGTHS: – presents factual material in direct, logical manner – contains experience which inspires – stimulates thinking to open discussion – useful for large groups LIMITATIONS: – experts are not always good teachers – audience is passive – learning is difficult to gauge – communication in one way PREPARATION: – needs clear introduction and summary – needs time and content limit to be effective – should include examples, anecdotes

Lecture With Discussion

STRENGTHS: – involves audience at least after the lecture – audience can question, clarify & challenge LIMITATIONS: – time may limit discussion period – quality is limited to quality of questions and discussion PREPARATION: – requires that questions be prepared prior to discussion

Panel of Experts

STRENGTHS: – allows experts to present different opinions – can provoke better discussion than a one person discussion – frequent change of speaker keeps attention from lagging LIMITATIONS: – experts may not be good speakers – personalities may overshadow content – subject may not be in logical order PREPARATION: – facilitator coordinates focus of panel, introduces and summarizes – briefs panel

Brainstorming

STRENGTHS: – listening exercise that allows creative thinking for new ideas – encourages full participation because all ideas equally recorded – draws on group’s knowledge and experience – spirit of congeniality is created – one idea can spark off other other ideas LIMITATIONS: – can be unfocused – needs to be limited to 5 – 7 minutes – people may have difficulty getting away from known reality – if not facilitated well, criticism and evaluation may occur PREPARATION: – facilitator selects issue – must have some ideas if group needs to be stimulated

Videotapes

STRENGTHS: – entertaining way of teaching content and raising issues – keep group’s attention – looks professional – stimulates discussion LIMITATIONS: – can raise too many issues to have a focused discussion – discussion may not have full participation – only as effective as following discussion PREPARATION: – need to set up equipment – effective only if facilitator prepares questions to discuss after the show

Class Discussion

STRENGTHS: – pools ideas and experiences from group – effective after a presentation, film or experience that needs to be analyzed – allows everyone to participate in an active process LIMITATIONS: – not practical with more that 20 people – few people can dominate – others may not participate – is time consuming – can get off the track PREPARATION: – requires careful planning by facilitator to guide discussion – requires question outline

Small Group Discussion

STRENGTHS: – allows participation of everyone – people often more comfortable in small groups – can reach group consensus LIMITATIONS: – needs careful thought as to purpose of group – groups may get side tracked PREPARATION: – needs to prepare specific tasks or questions for group to answer

Case Studies

STRENGTHS: – develops analytic and problem solving skills – allows for exploration of solutions for complex issues – allows student to apply new knowledge and skills LIMITATIONS: – people may not see relevance to own situation – insufficient information can lead to inappropriate results PREPARATION: – case must be clearly defined in some cases – case study must be prepared

Role Playing

STRENGTHS: – introduces problem situation dramatically – provides opportunity for people to assume roles of others and thus appreciate another point of view – allows for exploration of solutions – provides opportunity to practice skills LIMITATIONS: – people may be too self-conscious – not appropriate for large groups – people may feel threatened PREPARATION: – trainer has to define problem situation and roles clearly – trainer must give very clear instructions

Report-Back Sessions

STRENGTHS: – allows for large group discussion of role plays, case studies, and small group exercise – gives people a chance to reflect on experience – each group takes responsibility for its operation LIMITATIONS: – can be repetitive if each small group says the same thing PREPARATION: – trainer has to prepare questions for groups to discuss

Worksheets/Surveys

STRENGTHS: – allows people to thing for themselves without being influences by others – individual thoughts can then be shared in large group LIMITATIONS: – can be used only for short period of time PREPARATION: – facilitator has to prepare handouts

Index Card Exercise

STRENGTHS: – opportunity to explore difficult and complex issues LIMITATIONS: – people may not do exercise PREPARATION: – facilitator must prepare questions

Guest Speaker

STRENGTHS: – personalizes topic – breaks down audience’s stereotypes LIMITATIONS: – may not be a good speaker PREPARATION: – contact speakers and coordinate – introduce speaker appropriately

Values Clarification Exercise

STRENGTHS: – opportunity to explore values and beliefs – allows people to discuss values in a safe environment – gives structure to discussion LIMITATION: – people may not be honest – people may be too self-conscious PREPARATION: – facilitator must carefully prepare exercise – must give clear instructions – facilitator must prepare discussion question